Feed 1275 slum dwellers for a year in Thailand

The Hand to Hand Foundation gave 5 tons of rice in the month of November and cooked over 600 meals for needy families. These care packages meant the difference between the children and adults eating or going to bed hungry. The downside of all this food preparation is the waste from the containers used to serve the meals. Although we tried to use recyclable containers there were both expensive and at times difficult to find. Our solution was to purchase reusable metal bento boxes which were not only great transport containers but also provided a safe and hygienic way to store food. Each week the families return the bento box and we refill it with food for the families.  

Christmas is coming and this year we are going green literally and figuratively. Our families need food so our aim is to make 1 500 plant bags to give to them. Each bag is sewn by unemployed people using recycled rice bags which means we can recycle and create jobs at the same time. The plants are common herbs used in Thai cooking which are grown from cuttings of plants we already have. Again, unemployed people are preparing and growing the cuttings which provide them with a small income so they can feed their families. These plants keep regenerating which means they are the gift that will keep on giving! A Christmas gift that provided employment and food! Each plant bag (complete with plant) costs 30 baht or $1 USD which covers the cost of all materials and labour. So far, we have enough money to support 200 of these plant gifts. 

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors who have been giving to help feed the poor in Pattaya, Thailand. With no government support, this food is a lifeline for families. 

Happy new year and thankyou!

Links:

• Hand to Hand Foundation

It starts with buying 1000kg of rice, 2400 eggs and other basic food items such as eggs, noodles before making food parcels for 200 families, EVERY WEEK! Each family receives 5kg of rice, some of the items above as well as any other donated food items. Last month we were blessed with pasta, jam, baked beans and other long-life goods which we were donated by a hotel that was no longer able to host buffet breakfasts. 

Mon is a superb cook and she ensures that families also receive cooked meals which are made with fresh produce grown in our very own garden. Not only does this save us money but fresh is best!!!

Due to covid 19 restrictions, recently we have been unable to do our regular food distributions as these events create long lines and crowds of people. Not able to just sit back and do nothing, Hand to Hand has worked with the government agencies to ensure that our process is covid safe.  Families must pre-register and are given a specific time to come to avoid large gatherings. Our concern was that many would simply arrive looking for food as there are 1000's of desperate people in Pattaya! A few came and they were giving the opportunity to register for next week. Families will get food for 2 weeks so we can rotate those receiving food. 

The poverty in Pattaya continues to deteriorate as the city relied heavily on tourism. With no tourists, businesses have closed down and these empty shophouses are now inhabited by the homeless and hungry. There is little government support and what is available is very difficult to get. 

Thank you so much for all your support we can continue to feed those who have lost everything!!

Links:

• Hand to Hand Foundation